By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced Thursday he is directing the state Department of Public Safety to investigate Democrat Mary Peltola’s Senate campaign following a New York Times report that her team recruited a candidate sharing the name of Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan to dilute his votes. The probe will determine whether criminal charges or civil action are warranted, Dunleavy said in an overnight post on X.
Dunleavy Directs Public Safety Probe
The Republican governor called the Times’ findings “disturbing new evidence” and vowed that anyone who broke the law must be held accountable. The Department of Public Safety will examine whether the alleged scheme violated Alaska election statutes.
New York Times Report Details Allegations
The Times published an explosive report Wednesday citing interviews with 12 people and dozens of text messages. It alleges the Peltola campaign and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee worked to recruit a second Dan Sullivan onto the ballot. Former campaign manager Elisa Rios, fired in August, initially spoke to the Times but later retracted all statements about the 2026 Senate race.
Trump and Vance Weigh In
President Donald Trump cast doubt on whether Republicans would seat Peltola if she wins, saying it was “hard to believe that she could even be allowed to run.” Vice President JD Vance said the matter should be examined for possible election fraud, calling it a “great moral failing.”
House Oversight Committee Seeks Interviews
House Oversight Chair James Comer, R-Ky., requested transcribed interviews with Rios and Democratic operative Jerid Kurtz, who reportedly helped recruit the challenger Sullivan. Comer warned that compulsory process would be considered if they do not appear voluntarily.
Campaign Responses
A Peltola campaign spokesperson denied any involvement with either Sullivan campaign and pointed to alleged Republican use of spoiler candidates. The DSCC also stated it is not involved with Dan J. Sullivan. NBC News has reached out to both for comment on Dunleavy’s announcement.
